Paint-striping laser guidance system and related technology

ABSTRACT

A system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a paint-striping machine having a carriage, an outrigger operably connected to the carriage, and a downwardly oriented nozzle carried by the outrigger. The carriage moves along pavement while the nozzle dispenses paint, thereby forming a paint stripe on the pavement. The system further includes a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine. The guidance system includes a light-emitting device and a mounting and containment assembly that provides an adjustable connection between the light-emitting device and the paint-striping machine. The light-emitting device forms a planar light region having a vertical orientation. The mounting and containment assembly includes an adjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine, thereby changing a yaw angle of the planar light region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.61/992,695 filed May 13, 2014, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. To the extent the foregoing application or any othermaterial incorporated herein by reference conflicts with the presentdisclosure, the preset disclosure controls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology is related to reference systems for guidingparking-lot line painting operations and other types of linearalteration of underfoot surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Linear alteration of underfoot surfaces is a common construction andmaintenance task that, using conventional technology, tends to be undulycumbersome. For example, a project involving painting lines on pavementto delineate parking spaces using conventional technology is likely tobegin with a time-consuming layout process. In a particular example ofsuch a process, a crew first marks beginning and ending points of eachline to be painted. Next, the crew affixes a string at one of thebeginning and ending points of a given line. The crew then affixes thestring at the other of the beginning and ending points of the givenline. When the string is taut, the crew presumes it to be an accuraterepresentation of a straight path between the beginning and endingpoints of the given line. The crew then marks the path based on theposition of the string and repeats the same process for each of theremaining lines to be painted. To mark the path, the crew may, forexample, either “snap” the line to leave behind a chalk marking or walkalong the path and paint dashes, dots, or other indications of the pathat intermittent positions along the length of the string. Finally, thecrew uses the mark or marks to guide movement of a paint-stripingmachine that applies paint along the path. As discussed below, thisapproach to painting lines and other approaches to the same and othertypes of linear alteration of underfoot surfaces have certainlimitations and/or disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a need forinnovation in this field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on clearlyillustrating the principles of the present technology. For ease ofreference, throughout this disclosure identical reference numbers may beused to identify identical or at least generally similar or analogouscomponents or features.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top and one side illustrating apaint-striping system in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. As shown in FIG. 1, the paint-striping system can include apaint-striping machine, a guidance system, and a portable target. Thepaint-striping machine can include a first outrigger and a secondoutrigger.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view from the top and one side of alight-emitting device of the guidance system shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a front profile view, arear profile view, a first side profile view, a second side profileview, a top plan view, and a bottom plan view of the guidance system andthe second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, a partially schematic profile view anda partially schematic top plan view of the paint-striping system shownin FIG. 1 while the light-emitting device shown in FIG. 2B emits, towardthe target, a planar light region having a vertical orientation.

FIG. 11 is a front profile view of the target shown in FIG. 1 while theplanar light region shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is in alignment with thetarget.

FIG. 12 is a front profile view of the target shown in FIG. 1 after theplanar light region shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 moves out of alignment withthe target.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, perspective views from the top andone side of the guidance system and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1before and after the guidance system is adjustably connected to thesecond outrigger.

FIG. 15 is another perspective view from the top and one side of theguidance system and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after a mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in FIG. 15 to change a yaw angle of the planar light regionshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after the mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in FIG. 15 to change a pitch angle of the planar light regionshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after the mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in FIG. 15 to change a roll angle of the planar light regionshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating thepaint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a first calibration method forcalibrating the paint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a second calibration method forcalibrating the paint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology aredisclosed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-21. Although these detailsmay be disclosed herein primarily or entirely in the context ofpaint-striping applications, other applications are within the scope ofthe present technology. For example, systems, devices, and methodsconfigured in accordance with at least some embodiments of the presenttechnology can be used in the context of guiding movement of riding andwalk-behind machines that perform types of surface modification otherthan painting (e.g., cutting, grinding, chalking, etc.). It should benoted that embodiments of the present technology can have differentconfigurations, components, features, and procedures than thosedisclosed herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that embodiments of the present technology can haveconfigurations, components, features, and procedures in addition tothose disclosed herein and that these and other embodiments can bewithout several of the configurations, components, features, andprocedures disclosed herein without deviating from the presenttechnology.

Conventional approaches to painting lines on pavement and other types oflinear alteration of underfoot surfaces tend to be labor-intensive andimprecise. For example, in the background example described above, acrew of four is common, with a first member of the crew holding one endof the string, a second member of the crew holding the other end of thestring, a third member of the crew marking the locations of the string,and a fourth member of the crew steering the paint-striping machine.This is highly inefficient. Furthermore, presuming that a taut string isan accurate representation of a straight path is dubious even underideal conditions. In windy conditions, string lines tend to bow,particularly over long distances. String lines are also apt to snag onobstructions. Due to these and/or other problems, the straightness of apainted line laid out using a string tends to be suboptimal.

Systems, devices, and methods in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology can at least partially address one or more of theproblems discussed above and/or other problems associated withconventional technologies whether or not stated herein. In a particularexample, a paint-striping system configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology includes a paint-striping machineand a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine.The guidance system can be configured to form a planar light regionhaving a vertical orientation. A visible indicator line can be formedwhere this planar light region projects onto an underfoot surface and/ora target surface. The visible indicator line can be used to guidemovement of the paint-striping machine along a straight path even in theabsence of layout markings between endpoints of the path. Guidance basedon this visible indicator line can be highly reliable regardless ofwind, rough terrain, and other conditions and features that would tendto adversely affect the performance of conventional string lines.Furthermore, in contrast to guidance based on conventional string lines,guidance based on the visible indicator line may actually becomeincreasingly reliable as the length of the path increases (e.g., becausegreater distance may tend to attenuate minor calibrationirregularities). Thus, use of the guidance system can reduce oreliminate the need for labor associated with formingendpoint-to-endpoint layout markings and provide reliable guidance thatyields straighter lines than would be achieved using conventionaltechnologies. These advantages and other aspects of systems inaccordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology arefurther discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-21.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top and one side illustrating apaint-striping system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. The paint-striping system 100 can include apaint-striping machine 102 and a guidance system 104 operably connectedto the paint-striping machine 102. The paint-striping system 100 canfurther include a portable target 105. The paint-striping machine 102can include a carriage 106 configured to move along pavement, and adownwardly oriented nozzle 108 configured to dispense paint and therebyform a paint stripe on the pavement as the carriage 106 moves along thepavement. The paint-striping machine 102 can further include a firstoutrigger 110 and a second outrigger 112 both operably connected to thecarriage 106, with the second outrigger 112 being rearwardly positionedrelative to the first outrigger 110. The first and second outriggers110, 112 can carry the nozzle 108 and the guidance system 104,respectively. For example, the first outrigger 110 can include a firstelongate vertical rod 114 and a coupler 116 that releasably connects thenozzle 108 to the first rod 114. The coupler 116 can be repositionablealong a length of the first rod 114 to change a height of the nozzle 108relative to the pavement. The second outrigger 112 can include a secondelongate vertical rod 118 to which the guidance system 104 is operablyconnected.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112. FIG. 2B is a perspective viewfrom the top and one side of a light-emitting device 120 of the guidancesystem 104. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a front profileview, a rear profile view, a first side profile view, a second sideprofile view, a top plan view, and a bottom plan view of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112. As shown in FIG. 2A, theguidance system 104 can include a mounting and containment assembly 122that contains the light-emitting device 120 and provides an adjustableconnection between the light-emitting device 120 and the paint-stripingmachine 102. The mounting and containment assembly 122 can include ahousing 124 having an optical exit 126. The light-emitting device 120can be disposed within the housing 124 such that light from thelight-emitting device 120 is projected outward from the guidance system104 via the optical exit 126. As shown in FIG. 2B, the light-emittingdevice 120 can include a laser 128 (e.g., a laser diode), an aperture130, a collimating lens 132, and a fan lens 134 operably associated withone another and positioned within the housing 124 successively closer tothe optical exit 126. The aperture 130, the collimating lens 132, andthe fan lens 134 can be configured to convert light from the laser 128into a fan-shaped planar light region.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8 together, the mounting and containmentassembly 122 can include a clamp 136 having a frame 138 and a gripper140 inset within the frame 138. The gripper 140 can be configured toreleasably grip the second rod 118. The mounting and containmentassembly 122 can further include a support 142 operably connected to theclamp 136 and positioned to be at a first side of the second rod 118when the gripper 140 releasably grips the second rod 118. For example,the clamp 136 can be positioned relative to the support 142 such thatthe frame 138 extends laterally from the support 142. The clamp 136 canbe configured to grip the second rod 118 via the gripper 140 and therebyreleasably secure the support 142 to the second outrigger 112. Thesupport 142 can include a platform 144 and can carry the housing 124 viathe platform 144. The clamp 136 can include a bracket 146 having a firstflange 148 parallel and adjacent to the platform 144, and a secondflange 150 parallel and adjacent to a sidewall of the housing 124.

The clamp 136 can be configured to be conveniently retrofitted forcompatibility with rods having different transverse cross-sectionalshapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the gripper 140, whichconforms to a circular transverse cross-sectional shape of the secondrod 118, can be removable and replaceable with a different gripper (notshown) that conforms to a different transverse cross-sectional shape ofa different elongate rod (also not shown). The gripper 140 can include afirst jaw 152 and an opposing second jaw 154 having respective concaveinwardly facing surfaces that abut opposites sides of the second rod118. The frame 138 can include a swing arm 156 hingedly connected to thesupport 142. The swing arm 156 can carry the first jaw 152 toward andaway from the second jaw 154 to transition the clamp 136 between aclosed state and an open state. The clamp 136 can include a clasp 160that secures the clamp 136 in the closed state. In the illustratedembodiment, the clasp 160 includes a threaded axle 161 through which theframe 138 is rotatably connected to the gripper 140. The threaded axle161 can be rotatable to increase a force exerted by the gripper 140against the second rod 118. When the gripper 140 releasably grips thesecond rod 118, the clasp 160 can be positioned at a side of the secondrod 118 opposite to a side of the second rod 118 at which the support142 is positioned. In other embodiments, the clasp 160 can have othersuitable forms.

The mounting and containment assembly 122 can be highly adjustable sothat the light-emitting device 120 can be oriented as needed. Forexample, the mounting and containment assembly 122 can include a firstadjustment mechanism 162 operable to move the light-emitting device 120relative to the paint-striping machine 102 and thereby change a yawangle of a planar light region produced by the light-emitting device120. Similarly, the mounting and containment assembly 122 can include asecond adjustment mechanism 164 operable to move the light-emittingdevice 120 relative to the paint-striping machine 102 and thereby changea pitch angle of the planar light region. In the illustrated embodiment,the first adjustment mechanism 162 includes a slider 166 that can beshifted left or right to pivot the bracket 146 relative to the platform144. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism164 includes a knob 168 that can be rotated to pivot the housing 124relative to the bracket 146. Thus, the first adjustment mechanism 162can be slidably operable to change the yaw angle of the planar lightregion and the second adjustment mechanism 164 can be rotatably operableto change the pitch angle of the planar light region. This arrangementis expected to be highly intuitive for users of the guidance system 104.In other embodiments, the first and second adjustment mechanisms 162,164 can have other suitable forms.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, a partially schematic profile view anda partially schematic top plan view of the paint-striping system 100while the light-emitting device 120 emits, toward the target 105, aplanar light region 170 having a vertical orientation. In FIGS. 9 and10, portions of the paint-striping machine 102 (FIG. 1) other than thenozzle 108 are omitted for clarity. FIG. 11 is a front profile view ofthe target 105 while the planar light region 170 is in alignment withthe target 105. FIG. 12 is a front profile view of the target 105 afterthe planar light region 170 moves out of alignment with the target 105.With reference to FIGS. 1-12 together, when the paint-striping system100 is in use, the paint-striping machine 102 and the target 105 can beat spaced apart positions on an underfoot surface 172 (e.g., an uppersurface of parking-lot pavement). The light-emitting device 120 (FIG.2A) of the guidance system 104 can emit light from the laser 128 via theaperture 130, the collimating lens 132, and the fan lens 134 to form theplanar light region 170. The planar light region 170 can have a verticalorientation and can form a first visible guidance line 174 on theunderfoot surface 172. The target 105 can have a reflective surface 175that faces toward the paint-striping machine 102 such that the planarlight region 170 forms a second visible guidance line 176 on thereflective surface 175. In the illustrated embodiment, the reflectivesurface 175 is deeply inset within the target 105. This can be useful,for example, to cause the reflective surface 175 to be shaded fromsunlight and thereby to enhance the visibility of the second visibleguidance line 176. As shown in FIG. 11, the target 105 can furtherinclude a non-reflective or otherwise visually distinctive alignmentmark 177 (e.g., a vertical line) on the reflective surface 175. In otherembodiments, the target 105 can have other suitable configurations.

As shown in FIG. 10, the paint-striping system 100 can be used to form apaint stripe 178 along a path extending between a first location 180(e.g., a starting location) and a second location 182 (e.g., an endinglocation) on the underfoot surface 172. In FIG. 10, each of the firstand second locations 180, 182 is temporarily marked with a chalk “x.”Other suitable marks designating endpoint of the path include flags,paint spots, etc. To begin the paint stripe 178, the paint-stripingmachine 102 can be positioned such that the nozzle 108 is directly abovethe first location 180. The target 105 can be positioned such that thealignment mark 177 is aligned with the path extending between the firstand second locations 180, 182. The paint-striping machine 102 can thenbe moved toward the target 105 while an operator (not shown) of thepaint-striping machine 102 maintains the second visible guidance line176 in alignment with the alignment mark 177. In addition oralternatively, the operator can maintain the first visible guidance line174 in alignment a mark corresponding to the second location 182. Theformer technique may be well suited for daytime operations when thesunlight reduces the visibility of the first visible guidance line 174.The latter technique may be well suited for nighttime operations whenthe first visible guidance line 174 is readily visible even at longdistances.

FIGS. 13-18 are perspective views from the top and one side of theguidance system 104 and the second outrigger 112 with the guidancesystem 104 in various states of connection and/or adjustment. Inparticular, FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, perspective views of theguidance system 104 and the second outrigger 112 before and after theguidance system 104 is adjustably connected to the second outrigger 112.FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the guidance system 104 and thesecond outrigger 112. FIGS. 16-18 are perspective views of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112 after different adjustments ofthe guidance system 104 relative to its state in FIG. 15. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the swing arm 156 can be moved toward or away from thefixed arm 158 to secure or release the clamp 136 to the second rod 118.As shown in FIG. 16 relative to FIG. 15 and with reference to FIG. 9,the first adjustment mechanism 162 can be operated to change a yaw angle184 of the planar light region 170. As shown in FIG. 17 relative to FIG.15 and with reference to FIG. 9, the second adjustment mechanism 164 canbe operated to change a pitch angle 186 of the planar light region 170.As shown in FIG. 18 relative to FIG. 15 and with reference to FIG. 9,rotating the frame 138 relative to the gripper 140 at the clasp 160 canchange a roll angle 188 of the planar light region 170.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for operating thepaint-striping system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. With reference to FIGS. 1-19 together, the method200 can include positioning the paint-striping machine 102 (“PSM” inFIGS. 19-21) on the underfoot surface 172 at the first location 180(block 202). When the paint-striping machine 102 is positioned at thefirst location 180, the nozzle 108 can be above a first end portion of apath for the planned paint stripe 178 on the underfoot surface 172.Next, the method 200 can include beginning the paint stripe 178 (block204), such as by beginning to dispense paint from the nozzle 108. Anoperator can then move the paint-striping machine 102 along theunderfoot surface 172 from the first location 180 toward the secondlocation 182 while dispensing paint from the nozzle 108 onto theunderfoot surface 172 to form a first portion of the paint stripe 178(block 206). The method 200 can further include emitting the planarlight region 170 from the guidance system 104 (block 208) while movingthe paint-striping machine 102. The operator can use the planar lightregion 170 to guide further movement of the paint-striping machine 102along the underfoot surface 172 toward the second location 182 (block210) while dispensing paint from the nozzle 108 onto the underfootsurface 172, thereby continuing the paint stripe 178 along the path. Forexample, this guidance can be based on alignment of the first visibleguidance line 174 with a first stationary reference (e.g., a mark at thesecond location 182) and/or alignment of the second visible guidanceline 176 with a second stationary reference (e.g., the alignment mark177). After the paint-striping machine 102 reaches the second location182 (block 212), the method 200 can include ending the paint stripe 178(block 214), such as by discontinuing a flow of paint through the nozzle108. When the paint-striping machine 102 is at the second location 182,the nozzle 108 can be above an end portion of the path.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a first calibration method 300 forcalibrating the paint-striping system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. This calibration can be carriedout, for example, at the beginning of a job (e.g., a planned set oflines to be painted) and/or occasionally during a job. Due, for example,to the adjustment features of the guidance system 104, calibration ofthe paint-striping system 100 can be convenient and capable of producingexcellent correspondence between the straightness of movement of thepaint-striping machine 102 and visual feedback from the guidance system104. The first calibration method 300 can be carried out on a referenceline, such as an existing paint stripe, a curb, a chalk like, or someother newly formed or existing feature known to be straight. Withreference to FIGS. 1-18 and 20 together, the first calibration method300 can include positioning the paint-striping machine 102 so that thenozzle 108 is above a first end portion of the reference line (block302). Next, the first calibration method 300 can include moving thepaint-striping machine 102 toward an opposite second end portion of thereference line (block 304) while emitting the planar light region 170from the guidance system 104 (block 306) to form the first visibleguidance line 174, the second visible guidance line 176, or both.

In at least some embodiments, moving the paint-striping machine 102 asignificant distance toward the second end portion of the reference lineis useful to improve the effectiveness of the calibration. For example,the first calibration method 300 can include further moving thepaint-striping machine 102 a distance of at least 50% (e.g., at least75%) of a total distance from the first end portion of the referenceline to the second end portion of the reference line while maintainingthe first visible guidance line 174 in alignment with a stationaryreference and/or maintaining the second visible guidance line 176 inalignment with a stationary reference. After and/or while further movingthe paint-striping machine 102 along the reference line, alignment ofthe nozzle 108 with the reference line can also be monitored. Ifmisalignment of the nozzle 108 with the reference line is detected(block 310), the first calibration method 300 can include adjusting theguidance system 104 to change the yaw angle 184 of the planar lightregion 170 (block 312). The first calibration method 300 can then berepeated until no misalignment of the nozzle 108 with the reference lineis detected.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a second calibration method 400 forcalibrating the paint-striping system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. The second calibration method 400can be used in addition to or in place of the first calibration method300 depending on field conditions. With reference to FIGS. 1-18 and 21together, the second calibration method 400 can include positioning thepaint-striping machine 102 so that the nozzle 108 is above the first endportion of the reference line (block 402). Next, the second calibrationmethod 400 can include moving the paint-striping machine 102 toward theopposite second end portion of the reference line (block 404) whileemitting the planar light region 170 from the guidance system 104 (block406) to form the first visible guidance line 174, the second visibleguidance line 176, or both. The second calibration method 400 canfurther include further moving the paint-striping machine 102 a distanceof at least 50% (e.g., at least 75%) of a total distance from the firstend portion of the reference line to the second end portion of thereference line while maintaining the nozzle 108 in alignment with thereference line. After and/or while further moving the paint-stripingmachine 102 along the reference line, alignment of the first visibleguidance line 174 with a stationary reference and/or alignment of thesecond visible guidance line 176 with a stationary reference can also bemonitored. If misalignment of the first and/or second visible guidancelines 174, 176 is detected (block 410), the second calibration method400 can include adjusting the guidance system 104 to change the yawangle 184 of the planar light region 170 (block 412). The secondcalibration method 400 can then be repeated until no misalignment of thefirst and/or second visible guidance lines 174, 176 is detected.

This disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presenttechnology to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specificembodiments are disclosed herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible without deviating from the presenttechnology, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art willrecognize. In some cases, well-known structures and functions have notbeen shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thedescription of the embodiments of the present technology. Although stepsof methods may be presented herein in a particular order, in alternativeembodiments the steps may have another suitable order. Similarly,certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context ofparticular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in otherembodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certainembodiments may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantagesdisclosed herein to fall within the scope of the present technology.Accordingly, this disclosure and associated technology can encompassother embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

Certain aspects of the present technology may take the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, including routines executed by acontroller or other data processor. In at least some embodiments, acontroller or other data processor is specifically programmed,configured, and/or constructed to perform one or more of thesecomputer-executable instructions. Furthermore, some aspects of thepresent technology may take the form of data (e.g., non-transitory data)stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic oroptically readable and/or removable computer discs as well as mediadistributed electronically over networks. Accordingly, data structuresand transmissions of data particular to aspects of the presenttechnology are encompassed within the scope of the present technology.The present technology also encompasses methods of both programmingcomputer-readable media to perform particular steps and executing thesteps.

The methods disclosed herein include and encompass, in addition tomethods of practicing the present technology (e.g., methods of makingand using the disclosed devices and systems), methods of instructingothers to practice the present technology. For example, a method inaccordance with a particular embodiment includes positioning apaint-striping machine at a first location, moving the paint-stripingmachine from the first location toward a second location whiledispensing paint, emitting a planar light region having a verticalorientation to form a guidance line while moving the paint-stripingmachine, and guiding further movement of the paint-striping machinetoward the second location based on an alignment of the guidance linewith a stationary reference. A method in accordance with anotherembodiment includes instructing such a method.

Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Similarly, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only asingle item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of twoor more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpretedas including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items inthe list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally,the terms “comprising” and the like are used throughout this disclosureto mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greaternumber of the same feature(s) and/or one or more additional types offeatures are not precluded. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,”“front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” may be used herein toexpress and clarify the relationship between various elements. It shouldbe understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation.Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similarformulations means that a particular feature, structure, operation, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, various particularfeatures, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

I/we claim:
 1. A paint-striping system, comprising: a paint-stripingmachine including: a carriage configured to move along pavement, and adownwardly oriented nozzle configured to dispense paint and thereby forma paint stripe on the pavement as the carriage moves along the pavement;and a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine,wherein the guidance system includes: a light-emitting device configuredto form a planar light region having a vertical orientation, and amounting and containment assembly configured to provide an adjustableconnection between the light-emitting device and the paint-stripingmachine, wherein the mounting and containment assembly includes anadjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relativeto the paint-striping machine and thereby change a yaw angle of theplanar light region.
 2. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein:the mounting and containment assembly includes a housing; thelight-emitting device includes: a laser disposed within the housing, anda lens operably associated with the laser; and the light-emitting deviceis configured to emit light from the laser via the lens to form theplanar light region.
 3. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein:the paint-striping machine includes: an outrigger operably connected tothe carriage, wherein the outrigger includes an elongate rod, and acoupler configured to provide a releasable connection between the nozzleand the rod, wherein the coupler is repositionable along a length of therod to change a height of the nozzle relative to the pavement; themounting and containment assembly includes: a housing, a supportcarrying the housing, and a clamp configured to grip the rod and therebyreleasably secure the support to the outrigger; and the light-emittingdevice includes a laser disposed within the housing.
 4. Thepaint-striping system of claim 1 wherein: the paint-striping machineincludes: a first outrigger carrying the nozzle, and a second outriggercarrying the light-emitting device; and the second outrigger isrearwardly positioned relative to the first outrigger.
 5. Thepaint-striping system of claim 1 wherein the adjustment mechanism isslidably operable to move the light-emitting device relative to thepaint-striping machine and thereby change the yaw angle of the planarlight region.
 6. The paint-striping system of claim 5 wherein: theadjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism; and the mountingand containment assembly includes a second adjustment mechanism operableto move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machineand thereby change a pitch angle of the planar light region.
 7. Thepaint-striping system of claim 6 wherein the second adjustment mechanismis rotatably operable to move the light-emitting device relative to thepaint-striping machine and thereby change the pitch angle of the planarlight region.
 8. A guidance system, comprising: a light-emitting deviceconfigured to form a planar light region having a vertical orientation,wherein the light-emitting device includes a laser; and a mounting andcontainment assembly configured to provide an adjustable connectionbetween the light-emitting device and an elongate rod, wherein themounting and containment assembly includes: a housing containing thelaser, a support carrying the housing, a clamp operably connected to thesupport, wherein the clamp includes: a frame extending laterally fromthe support, a gripper inset within the frame, wherein the gripper isconfigured to releasably grip the rod, and a clasp at which the frame isrotatably connected to the gripper, wherein rotating the frame relativeto the gripper at the clasp changes a roll angle of the planar lightregion, a first adjustment mechanism slidably operable to move thehousing relative to the support and thereby change a yaw angle of theplanar light region, and a second adjustment mechanism rotatablyoperable to move the housing relative to the support and thereby changea pitch angle of the planar light region.
 9. The guidance system ofclaim 8 wherein: the support is positioned to be at a first side of therod when the gripper releasably grips the rod; and the clasp ispositioned to be at an opposite second side of the rod when the gripperreleasably grips the rod.
 10. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:the gripper conforms to a transverse cross-sectional shape of the rod;and the gripper is removable and replaceable with a different gripperthat conforms to a different transverse cross-sectional shape of adifferent elongate rod.
 11. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein thesupport includes a platform carrying the housing.
 12. The guidancesystem of claim 8 wherein: the clasp includes a threaded axle at whichthe frame is rotatably connected to the gripper; and the threaded axleis rotatable to increase a force exerted by the gripper against the rod.13. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein the rod is a vertical rod.14. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein: the light-emitting deviceincludes a lens operably associated with the laser; and thelight-emitting device is configured to emit light from the laser via thelens to form the planar light region.
 15. The guidance system of claim 8wherein: the gripper includes a first jaw and an opposing second jaw;and the frame includes a swing arm hingedly connected to the support,wherein the swing arm carries the first jaw toward and away from thesecond jaw to transition the clamp between a closed state and an openstate.
 16. A method for operating a paint-striping system, the methodcomprising: positioning a paint-striping machine at a first location,wherein a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine isabove a first end portion of a path for a planned paint stripe onpavement when the paint-striping machine is at the first location;moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement from the firstlocation toward a second location while dispensing paint from the nozzleonto the pavement to form a paint stripe along the path, wherein thenozzle is above an opposite second end portion of the path when thepaint-striping machine is at the second location; emitting, from aguidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine, aplanar light region having a vertical orientation while moving thepaint-striping machine, wherein emitting the planar light region forms avisible guidance line; and guiding further movement of thepaint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second locationbased on an alignment of the guidance line with a stationary referencewhile dispensing paint from the nozzle onto the pavement to continue thepaint stripe along the path.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein: movingthe paint-striping machine includes moving the paint-striping machinetoward a portable target having a reflective surface facing toward thepaint-striping machine; and emitting the planar light region includesemitting the planar light region such that the planar light region formsthe visible guidance line on the reflective surface.
 18. The method ofclaim 16 wherein: moving the paint-striping machine includes moving thepaint-striping machine toward a mark on the pavement designating thesecond end portion of the path; and emitting the planar light regionincludes emitting the planar light region such that the planar lightregion forms the visible guidance line on the pavement.
 19. A method forcalibrating a paint-striping system, the method comprising: positioning,a first time, a paint-striping machine at a first location on pavementsuch that a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine isabove a first end portion of a straight path on the pavement; moving, afirst time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward anopposite second end portion of the path after positioning thepaint-striping machine the first time; emitting, a first time, a planarlight region having a vertical orientation from a guidance systemoperably connected to the paint-striping machine while moving thepaint-striping machine the first time, wherein emitting the planar lightregion the first time forms a visible guidance line; further moving, afirst time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward thesecond end portion of the path while maintaining, a first time, theguidance line in alignment with a stationary reference; detecting amisalignment of the nozzle with the path after further moving thepaint-striping machine the first time; adjusting the guidance system tochange a yaw angle of the planar light region after detecting themisalignment; positioning, a second time, the paint-striping machine atthe first location after adjusting the guidance system; moving, a secondtime, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the secondend portion of the path after positioning the paint-striping machine thesecond time; emitting, a second time, a planar light region from theguidance system while moving the paint-striping machine the second time,wherein emitting the planar light region the second time forms thevisible guidance line; further moving, a second time, the paint-stripingmachine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the pathwhile maintaining, a second time, the guidance line in alignment withthe stationary reference; and detecting an alignment of the nozzle withthe path after further moving the paint-striping machine the secondtime.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein: further moving thepaint-striping machine the first time includes further moving thepaint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portionof the path a first distance of at least 75% of a total distance fromthe first end portion of the path to the second end portion of the pathwhile maintaining the guidance line in alignment with the stationaryreference; and further moving the paint-striping machine the second timeincludes further moving the paint-striping machine along the pavementtoward the second end portion of the path a second distance of at least75% of a total distance from the first end portion of the path to thesecond end portion of the path while maintaining the guidance line inalignment with the stationary reference.
 21. A method for calibrating apaint-striping system, the method comprising: positioning, a first time,a paint-striping machine at a first location on pavement such that adownwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine is above afirst end portion of a straight path on the pavement; moving, a firsttime, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward an oppositesecond end portion of the path after positioning the paint-stripingmachine the first time; emitting, a first time, a planar light regionhaving a vertical orientation from a guidance system operably connectedto the paint-striping machine while moving the paint-striping machinethe first time, wherein emitting the planar light region the first timeforms a visible guidance line; further moving, a first time, thepaint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portionof the path while maintaining, a first time, the nozzle in alignmentwith the path; detecting a misalignment of the guidance line with astationary reference after further moving the paint-striping machine thefirst time; adjusting the guidance system to change a yaw angle of theplanar light region after detecting the misalignment; positioning, asecond time, the paint-striping machine at the first location afteradjusting the guidance system; moving, a second time, the paint-stripingmachine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the pathafter positioning the paint-striping machine the second time; emitting,a second time, the planar light region from the guidance system whilemoving the paint-striping machine the second time, wherein emitting theplanar light region the second time forms the visible guidance line;further moving, a second time, the paint-striping machine along thepavement toward the second end portion of the path while maintaining, asecond time, the nozzle in alignment with the path; and detecting analignment of the guidance line with the stationary reference afterfurther moving the paint-striping machine the second time.
 22. Themethod of claim 21 wherein: further moving the paint-striping machinethe first time includes further moving the paint-striping machine alongthe pavement toward the second end portion of the path a first distanceof at least 75% of a total distance from the first end portion of thepath to the second end portion of the path while maintaining the nozzlein alignment with the path; and further moving the paint-stripingmachine the second time includes further moving the paint-stripingmachine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path asecond distance of at least 75% of a total distance from the first endportion of the path to the second end portion of the path whilemaintaining the nozzle in alignment with the path.